Victoria were desperately trying to avoid an outright defeat that would dint their chances of hosting the Pura Cup final as they were out-played by Tasmania at the Junction Oval. The Bushrangers currently have a two-point lead at the top of the table, but they have been upset by the competition's bottom side and require another 267 runs on the final day for an unlikely victory.

Cameron White and Nick Jewell both posted half-centuries in an unbroken stand of 84 after combining at the trouble of 4 for 68. Set a target of 419, which would be the fifth-largest winning chase in the competition's history, the Bushrangers began badly when Dan Marsh, the captain, grabbed two smart slips catches to oust Jon Moss and David Hussey for single figures. However, White (61) and Jewell (52) settled the situation and moved the side to 4 for 152 at stumps.

Sean Clingeleffer was most productive Tasmania batsman with 62 and his 103-run partnership with Marsh, who chipped in with 57, moved Tasmania to a position of safety before the bowlers Brendan Drew, Brett Geeves and Ben Hilfenhaus added some valuable runs to extend the lead to 418. Allan Wise, Gerard Denton and Shane Harwood picked up three wickets each while Shane Warne failed to penetrate in his 16 overs.